Automatic train-signal.



PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

C. H. MARTIN. AUTOMATIC TRAIN SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.20,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mans-N. B aux eo. momuinoonntna. wnsnmcvcm n c.

No. 798,742. PAIBN'IED SEPT. 5, 1905.

C H MARTIN AUTOMATIC TRAIN SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED 1320.20.1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

` tnesses n PATIENT OFFICE.

CLAY I'I. MARTIN, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application tiled December 20, 1904. Serial No. 237,621

To @M w/mml 'z' 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, CLAY I'I. IARTIN, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Jackson, in the county of Jackson, State of B'Iichig'an, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Signals; and .I do declare the following' to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappcrtains to make and use the same, reference being' had to the accompanying' drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an automatic trainsig'nal; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out particularly in the claims.

'lhe object of the invention is to provide simple and eliicient means whereby the trainmen in the way-car as well as the eng'inecr may be advised of the breaking in two of a freight-train in time to avert a serious accident, the invention being' more particularly applicable to mixed trains comprising cars equipped with air-brakes and those not se equipped. The usual practice is to put the cars without air-brakes at the rear of the train, and this invention is used to notify the trainmen of a separation of the train between the ears equipped vwith air and the way-car, the point where the train is most likely to break, the arrangement being' such as to automatically ring an alarm-bell in the way-car and display a torch-signal upon the rear of the cars equipped with air, so as to be visible to the engineer.

'lhe above object is attained by the operative parts illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, in which Figure 1 is adiagrannnatical view of a train, `showing' the application of my invention thereto. Fig'. 2 is a diagrammatical view of the signal-actuating' mechanism, showing the operative parts in side elevation. Fig'. 3 is a similar view showing' a plan view of the operative parts. Fig'. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the housing' which covers and protects the torch-signal and which is provided with means for ig'niting said torch as it is drawn therefrom through the breaking' of the train. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through said housing' and a portion o'f the running'- board of the car upon which it is mounted,

illustrating the position of parts after the train has separated and the signal-torch has been lighted. Fig. 6 is a view, partly in section, showing' the alarm-bell circuit, the spring-actuated circuit-closer, the cord attached to the circuit-closer, and the train-cord which is wound upon a spool and leads to the housing inclosing' the torch-signal.

In mixed trains composed partly of cars equipped with air and partly non-air cars provided with the ordinary hand-brake mechanism the train is made up with the air-equipped cars forward and connected so as to be controlled Vfrom the locomotive in the ordinary manner. The non-air carsarc placed at the rearl of the train, and experience has demonstrated that in mixed trains of this character should a break occur it will in most cases occur at the coupling' between the last air-ear and the lirst car without air.

The usual manner of equipping a mixed train with this improved signal mechanism is to mount the housing' containing the torchsignal upon the last of the air-equipped cars and to place the alarm-l, cll signal in the way- `ear at the rear of the train, running the connecting-cord over the tops of the intervening non-air cars to the movable housing' containing' the torch-signal. It not necessary to include in the scope of the operation of the apparatus the air-equipped cars, for should a break occur in that part of the train the severing of the train-pipe will automatically set the brakes, and thereby g'ive notice to the engineer and train-crew of the accident; but without this signal apparatus a break in the train in the rear of the last air-car mightnot be noticed by the engineer nor by the traincrew in time to avert an accident.

Referring' to the characters of reference, 1 designates an ordinary battery having' the circuit-wires 2 and P) leading therefrom and terminating' at the terminal plates i and Included in the circuit formed by said wires is an electrical alarm-bell (5. Mounted to slide upon a support T is a block S, carrying' a spring' circuit-closer i), whose opposite ends are adapted upon a movement of the block 8 to come into contact with the terminal plates i and 5,thereby closing the battery-circuit and causing' a ringing' of thebellf. Attached to the block S is a spring It), which is adapted to return it to its normal position, whereby the circuit-closer 9 is held from contact IOO n ing-wires 17 are strung.

securely fixed in the basel.

12, which is wound upon the spool 11.

with the terminals 4 and 5, leaving the battery-circuit normally open. Located at some point adjacent the circuit-closer is a spool 11, upon which is wound acore 12 of such length 5 as to extend across the cars, which may intervene between the way-car and the last car equipped with air. These parts, comprising battery, bell, and circuit-closer, with the spool 11 and the cord wound thereon, are located in 1o the way-car (indicated at 13 in Fig. 1) at any convenient point. Upon the top of the last of the cars equipped with air (indicated at 14 in Fig. 1) is placed a suitable base 15, having four uprights 16, between which the support- Mounted upon said supporting-wires to slide longitudinally is the housing 18, which is provided with a double wall forming an air-space 19 to prevent the accumulation of moisture and with an inner zo space 20, adapted to inclose the torch-signal 30 tion-surface 24, adapted to ignite the cap of the torch by a rubbing contact therewith. Attached to the closed end of the housing is a coiled spring 25 of weak tension, whose opposite end is attached to the end of the cord tached to the circuit-closer 9 is a cord 26, whose opposite end is attached by a suitable clamp 27 with the cord 12. After the train has been made up the cord 12 is strung from 4o the way-car across the intervening non-air cars and attached to the spring 25, which is coupled to the end of the slidable housing 18, under which is the torch-signal 21, which arrangement is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Should the train separate between the car carrying the housing 18 and the way-car, the cord 12 will be drawn upon and will in turn'draw upon the cord' 26 to carry the circuit-closer 9 into contact with the terminal points 4 5o and 5, thereby closing the alarm-circuit and ringing the lbell 6. As the cars separate the housing 18 will be caused to slide upon its .supports 17 and will draw the friction-surface 24 over the cap 26 of the torch-signal,

thereby igniting the torch and causing Iit to burn with a red light or any other color desired, as shown in Fig. 5. /Vhen the housing 18 has reached the limit of its movement, it is arrested by the uprights 16, when the strain upon the cord 12 will rupture the spring 25, thereby relieving the strain upon the cord 12 and enabling the spring 10 to retract the circuit-closer 9 and open the alarm-circuit.

The length of the time which the alarm-circuit is closed is suflicient to notify the trainmen in the way-car that the train has broken in two, and the burning of the torch-signal upon the last of the air-cars of the train will notify theengincer that the train has separated.

This device is very simple and comparatively inexpensive and may be readily set up for use whenever desired. l/Vhen employed as illustrated herein, the breaking in two of a train of cars will be at once discovered, obviating the serious accidents which often result from that cause.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A train-signal comprising an alarm in the way-car, a flexible member extending forward along .the cars of the train and attached at its forward end to one of said cars, aluminous signal upon one of the forward cars of the train and means actuated by said flexible member for sounding the alarm in the rear car and displaying said signal upon the separation of the train.

2. A train-signal comprising an electric circuit, containing an alarm-bell, and a slidable circuit-closer, a cord attached to said circuitcloser and extending along the train, its forward end being attached to one of the cars of the train, whereby upon a separation of the train, the circuit is closed to sound the alarm, and a spring for actuating the circuit-closer to open the circuit when the strain upon said cord is relieved.

3. A train-signal comprising an alarm-circuit, a movable circuit-closer in said circuit, a cord connected to said circuit-closer at its rear end, a luminous signal upon one of the forward cars of the train, means for displaying said signal, said signal-displaying means being connected with the forward end of said cord.

4. A train-signal comprising an electrical alarm in the way-car, a luminous signal on one of the cars forward from the way-car, means for displaying said luminous signal, and means actuated by the severing of the train for simultaneously actuating the signaldisplaying means, and closing the alarm-circuit.

5. A train signal comprising an audible alarm in the way-car,a combustible torch upon one of the forward cars of the train, movable means for igniting said torch, movable means for sounding the audible alarm and a cord connecting the torch-igniting means and the alarm-sounding means, whereby said signals are set upon the severing of the train.

6. A train signal comprising an audible alarm in the way-car adapted to be actuated by a movable part, a combustible signal-torch IOO IIO

IZO

upon onenl' the forwarll cal-sot' the traincovl [n testimonyr whereof I sign this specllcaered hy a protected movable hnnslng', a t'rlctron in the presence of two witnesses. tion-surface in Said honsinsg'allaptell to ignite l XL v n 1 A H. NIA MIN. sanl torch as 1t 1s drawn thereover, a cord cnn- (J Y t l neetngl said movable housing' with the movlVitnesses: able part of the amlrble alarm and spannmg' ELP/.A J. BIAR'IIN, the intervenlng cars of the tram. CLARA MARTIN.. 

